How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
[…] what [Bitterblue] was learning would give her a fighting chance. The confidence she was gaining would also help. These men, these sailors who stood on the side shouting their encouragement—they helped too, more than they could know. (33.67)
There's a lot to be said for girl power. Katsa and Captain Faun are positive female role models for Bitterblue, as was her mother, Ashen. And we think it's great that Katsa is teaching her defend herself.
But as Katsa recognizes, one of the most important parts of Bitterblue's recovery from Leck's abuses is the support she gets from these sailors who help her to see that she needn't fear half the population of the world based on their gender. They prove to her that while being masculine often means being strong or powerful, it also means using that strength and power to be kind, gentle, and supportive.